Global Pulse

分类： politics

  • Nigerian officers to face trial over coup-plot allegations

    Nigerian officers to face trial over coup-plot allegations

    Sixteen Nigerian military officers will face court-martial proceedings over allegations of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government last year, according to an official armed forces statement. The officers, arrested in October following what authorities described as “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations,” are now formally charged with attempting to subvert the constitutional order.

    While military officials initially dismissed rumors of an attempted coup, subsequent investigations have led to acknowledging that some of the detained officers will undergo trial before a military judicial panel. The armed forces emphasized that the judicial process would uphold principles of fairness and due process while ensuring accountability.

    This development occurs against Nigeria’s complex historical backdrop of military involvement in politics, which included multiple successful coups between 1966 and 1993. The sensitivity surrounding coup allegations reflects the nation’s transition to sustained civilian governance since 1999.

    The military statement explicitly condemned any attempts to unseat elected government as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards” of Nigeria’s armed forces. Recent years have seen occasional rumors about military dissent amid concerns over national instability, security challenges, and public frustration—all of which the military has consistently denied.

    Nigeria’s armed forces have repeatedly publicly reaffirmed their commitment to democratic governance and loyalty to civilian authority throughout the current period of uninterrupted civilian rule.

  • Russia, Ukraine say talks in UAE were ‘constructive’

    Russia, Ukraine say talks in UAE were ‘constructive’

    In a significant diplomatic development, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators convened for trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on Friday and Saturday, marking their first face-to-face discussions centered on a peace initiative promoted by former US President Donald Trump to resolve the nearly four-year conflict. Both Moscow and Kyiv characterized the preliminary negotiations as constructive despite acknowledging substantial challenges ahead.

    The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov addressed journalists on Monday, emphasizing that while initial contacts should not be expected to yield immediate breakthroughs, the fact that discussions proceeded in a constructive manner represents a positive development. ‘It would be a mistake to expect any significant results from the initial contacts,’ Peskov stated. ‘But the very fact that these contacts have begun in a constructive spirit can be viewed positively. However, there is significant work ahead.’ He further clarified that while no atmosphere of friendliness existed given the circumstances, constructive dialogue remains essential for negotiation progress.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed this sentiment, confirming that the Abu Dhabi meetings involved extensive discussions conducted in a constructive manner. This diplomatic effort occurred against a backdrop of continued military aggression, as Russian forces launched 138 drones overnight into Ukrainian territory, with impacts recorded at 11 locations according to Ukraine’s air force. These attacks, which disrupted electricity for millions amid sub-zero temperatures, prompted Kyiv to accuse Moscow of attempting to undermine the negotiation process.

    The talks, brokered by the United States, are scheduled to resume on February 1, according to US officials, indicating continued international engagement in seeking a resolution to the prolonged conflict that has devastated the region.

  • NATO chief wishes ‘good luck’ to those who think Europe can defend itself without US help

    NATO chief wishes ‘good luck’ to those who think Europe can defend itself without US help

    BRUSSELS — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte delivered a stark warning to European Union legislators on Monday, asserting that European nations remain fundamentally incapable of autonomous self-defense without American military backing. Rutte emphasized that achieving true strategic independence would require more than doubling current defense spending targets and developing independent nuclear capabilities—a financially prohibitive endeavor.

    During his address at the EU parliamentary session, Rutte explicitly dismissed notions of European strategic autonomy as unrealistic. “Should anyone believe that the European Union or Europe collectively could defend itself absent American support, they are merely indulging in fantasy,” he stated. “The transatlantic partnership remains indispensable—we mutually depend on one another.”

    The Secretary-General’s remarks arrive amid escalating tensions within NATO following recent controversies involving former U.S. President Donald Trump. These included renewed threats to annex Greenland—a semi-autonomous Danish territory—and the imposition of tariffs against its European supporters. Although these threats were subsequently withdrawn following diplomatic intervention and a tentative agreement regarding the mineral-rich region, the incidents highlighted the alliance’s fragility.

    Rutte referenced the July NATO summit in The Hague, where European members (excluding Spain) and Canada committed to matching U.S. defense spending relative to economic output within ten years. The agreement stipulated elevating core defense expenditure to 3.5% of GDP, with an additional 1.5% allocated to security infrastructure—totaling 5% of GDP by 2035.

    However, Rutte cautioned that truly independent defense would necessitate expenditures approaching 10% of GDP, alongside the development of an independent nuclear deterrent costing “billions upon billions of euros.” He underscored Europe’s continued reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella as “the ultimate guarantor of our freedom.”

    These developments occur against growing French-led advocacy for European “strategic autonomy,” a movement that gained momentum after the Trump administration indicated shifted security priorities and suggested European nations should assume greater defense responsibility.

  • Guyanese businessman facing US extradition elected opposition leader

    Guyanese businessman facing US extradition elected opposition leader

    GEORGETOWN, Guyana — In a remarkable political development, Azruddin Mohamed, a 38-year-old Guyanese businessman confronting serious U.S. criminal charges, has been formally elected as the nation’s official opposition leader. This unprecedented political ascension occurred Monday through a parliamentary vote held six months after Mohamed established his We Invest in Nationhood Party (WIN), which has rapidly emerged as Guyana’s second-largest political force.

    The parliamentary confirmation proceeded with 17 lawmakers—16 from WIN and one from a single-seat party—voting in Mohamed’s favor. This political milestone unfolds simultaneously as a magistrate’s court deliberates on state arguments for his extradition to the United States, where he and his father face federal indictments for gold smuggling and money laundering.

    Last year, Florida prosecutors unsealed indictments against the Mohamed family, alleging their involvement in smuggling over 10,000 kilograms of gold from Guyana to the United States while evading more than $50 million in taxes. These charges followed earlier sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department, which identified the Mohameds as significant players in Guyana’s gold industry through their extensive business operations, including foreign exchange outlets and substantial real estate holdings.

    The case has highlighted persistent governance challenges in the oil-rich South American nation, with authorities having shuttered all Mohamed family businesses and commercial bank accounts following the sanctions announcement.

    Monday’s parliamentary session, attended exclusively by opposition lawmakers, occurred amid mounting international pressure. Western nations and civil society groups had accused Guyanese authorities of deliberately delaying parliamentary proceedings to obstruct Mohamed’s election. Parliament had convened only once since its dissolution in July preceding September’s general elections.

    Addressing concerns about potential extradition, Mohamed asserted the fundamental legal principle that “a person is innocent until proven guilty.” He suggested political motivations behind the legal actions, contending that his prosecution relates directly to WIN’s successful opposition to the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

    “I announced my candidacy because of the people of this country,” Mohamed told reporters outside parliament. “The people asked me. I would not have had any court issues if I did not contest this election. I am ready to serve the people of this country.”

    House Speaker Manzoor Nadir acknowledged the unusual circumstances, describing himself as being in a “difficult position” for overseeing the appointment of an indicted individual as opposition leader. Despite these reservations, Nadir presided over the proceedings and formally congratulated Mohamed on his electoral victory.

  • China says Canada deal does not target the US after Trump tariff threat

    China says Canada deal does not target the US after Trump tariff threat

    Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Canada, threatening to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian products should the nation finalize its recently announced trade agreement with China. The threat was delivered via Trump’s Truth Social platform over the weekend, where he asserted that China is “successfully and completely taking over” Canada and cautioned against the country becoming a “drop off port” for Chinese goods destined for the U.S. market.

    In response to these allegations, both Canadian and Chinese officials have moved to clarify the nature of their new arrangement. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on Monday that the partnership “does not target any third party” and is designed to “serve the common interests of the people of both countries.” He emphasized that international relations should be approached with a “win-win rather than the mentality of zero-sum” framework.

    Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney explicitly denied that the agreement constitutes a free-trade deal with Beijing, stating Canada has “never” considered such an arrangement. He clarified that the understanding focuses on specific tariff adjustments: reducing levies on Canadian canola oil exports to China from 85% to 15% by March, while Canada will apply the Most-Favoured-Nation rate of 6.1%—a significant reduction from 100%—to a limited number of Chinese electric vehicle imports.

    Prime Minister Carney suggested that Trump’s threats are likely a negotiation tactic ahead of a mandatory review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) scheduled for later this year. “The president is a strong negotiator, and I think some of these comments and positioning should be viewed in the broader context of that,” Carney told reporters. He also reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to diversifying its trade portfolio to become “less dependent on the United States,” a position he recently underscored in a speech at Davos where he noted the rupture of the U.S.-led world order.

    The escalating tension marks a notable shift from Trump’s previous stance, which had characterized a potential Canada-China deal as “a good thing.” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later sought to clarify the conditional nature of the tariff threat, explaining it would apply specifically “if we see that the Canadians are allowing the Chinese to dump goods.”

  • Trump moved to cut funding for ICE body cameras, pared back oversight

    Trump moved to cut funding for ICE body cameras, pared back oversight

    The Trump administration systematically opposed the expansion of body camera usage among immigration officers while simultaneously reducing oversight staffing levels, according to recent investigations. This policy shift occurred as federal officers were deployed in large numbers to Minneapolis and other urban centers, resulting in several violent confrontations.

    Bystander footage capturing two fatal shootings of U.S. citizen protesters, including Saturday’s incident that claimed the life of an ICU nurse, has demonstrated the critical importance of video evidence in challenging official narratives. These recordings contradict claims that victims provoked violent encounters with immigration officers.

    Despite body cameras being central to police reform efforts nationwide, the administration deliberately slowed a pilot program initiated in 2024. In June, officials urged Congress to reduce related funding by 75%, countering the broader trend toward increased law enforcement transparency. Concurrently, nearly all staffers working for three internal watchdogs overseeing immigration agencies were placed on paid leave, significantly impairing their ability to investigate potential abuses.

    Darius Reeves, former director of ICE’s Baltimore field office, confirmed that the body camera program had progressed slowly under President Biden and was effectively abandoned under the Trump administration.

    The administration’s approach to immigration enforcement intensified following Congressional approval of a $170 billion funding package for crackdown operations. This substantial financial injection is expected to fundamentally transform how ICE and Border Patrol operate.

    Meanwhile, oversight capabilities have been dramatically reduced. The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, which previously employed over a hundred staff, now operates with just three full-time employees and two detailees. Complaint processing has consequently plummeted—from over 11,000 complaints in 2023 to just 285 between March and December 2025.

    A lawsuit challenging these reductions argues that the administration effectively eliminated oversight offices without Congressional authorization, creating a system with no meaningful accountability mechanisms for addressing abuses.

  • Pakistan says President to visit UAE for ‘high-level meetings’

    Pakistan says President to visit UAE for ‘high-level meetings’

    In a significant diplomatic development, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has embarked on an official state visit to the United Arab Emirates from January 26-29, 2026. The high-level engagement marks a continuation of strengthened bilateral relations between the two nations, following UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s recent trip to Islamabad just last December.

    The Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed the visit will feature comprehensive discussions covering the entire spectrum of mutual interests, with particular emphasis on enhancing trade and economic partnerships, defense and security cooperation, and cultural exchanges. The agenda also includes deliberations on pressing regional and international matters of shared concern.

    This reciprocal diplomatic exchange underscores the deepening fraternal bonds between Pakistan and the UAE. The previous December summit saw both nations commit to expanding collaboration across critical development sectors including energy infrastructure, technological innovation, and investment opportunities.

    Official statements characterize these ongoing high-level engagements as reflective of the special relationship between the two countries, demonstrating a mutual commitment to transforming their historical friendship into a more structured, mutually beneficial strategic partnership. The consistent diplomatic dialogue suggests both nations are prioritizing the institutionalization of their bilateral cooperation framework.

  • Minneapolis killing pushes Trump to brink of government shutdown

    Minneapolis killing pushes Trump to brink of government shutdown

    A fatal encounter between federal immigration agents and a Minneapolis civilian has escalated into a full-scale political crisis, placing the Trump administration on the verge of its second government shutdown. The shooting death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, during a weekend confrontation has fundamentally altered the political calculus in Washington, where a fragile bipartisan budget agreement has now collapsed.

    Until recently, Congressional leaders appeared poised to pass critical funding legislation before Friday’s deadline. The House had already approved remaining fiscal year 2026 appropriations, and Senate Republicans expressed confidence in securing sufficient Democratic support. However, the Minneapolis incident has unified Democratic opposition against funding the Department of Homeland Security without substantial reforms to immigration enforcement practices.

    The political fallout has been immediate and substantial. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer formally declared that Democrats would block the entire funding package if it includes DHS appropriations without additional constraints on Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Numerous Democratic senators, including Mark Warner of Virginia, have publicly committed to withholding support, citing the administration’s ‘violent federal takeovers’ of cities.

    Contradictory narratives have emerged regarding the shooting itself. While White House officials and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized the incident as self-defense against an armed assailant, multiple witness videos depict Pretti holding a phone while recording the altercation before being subdued with chemical spray and shot. The victim was legally licensed to carry a concealed weapon according to local authorities and family members.

    The budgetary impasse threatens to disrupt operations across multiple federal agencies including Defense, Health and Human Services, Transportation, and crucially, Homeland Security. Republican leadership continues advancing the original funding package despite growing unease within their own party. Several Republican senators, including longtime Trump allies, have called for independent investigations and expressed concerns about ICE’s credibility.

    With the House out of session this week, the path to compromise appears increasingly narrow. The administration has dispatched its border security coordinator to Minneapolis, but state and local officials demand complete withdrawal of federal agents and an independent probe into the shooting. As budget negotiations enter uncharted territory, the prospect of a temporary government shutdown grows increasingly likely.

  • Trump sends top official to Minneapolis after killing sparks backlash

    Trump sends top official to Minneapolis after killing sparks backlash

    President Donald Trump has dispatched top border security official Tom Homan to Minneapolis following escalating civil unrest and political backlash over federal immigration enforcement tactics. The deployment comes amid growing national outrage surrounding two fatal shootings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during protests against the administration’s intensified immigration crackdown.

    The crisis reached a critical juncture as federal judges prepared to hear arguments Monday regarding whether the deployment of heavily armed, masked federal agents violates Minnesota’s state sovereignty. Simultaneously, Congressional Democrats threatened to block government funding unless significant immigration enforcement reforms are implemented.

    ICE has undergone a dramatic transformation under Trump’s administration, emerging as the nation’s most heavily funded law enforcement agency. However, recent polls indicate mounting public anger over its increasingly aggressive tactics. The situation escalated when ICE agents shot and killed two American citizens during separate protest incidents: Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, on January 7th, and Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, two days later.

    Despite Pretti being legally licensed to carry the firearm found at the scene, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison condemned Trump’s narrative suggesting the nurse intended to shoot police as “flat-out insane.” The president maintained his position in a Wall Street Journal interview, stating he “doesn’t like any shooting” but expressed concern about protesters carrying “powerful, fully loaded guns.”

    The standoff has created unprecedented rifts between federal and local authorities, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz even considering deploying the state’s National Guard against federal agents. Notably, Republican lawmakers including House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer have broken ranks with the administration, suggesting federal agents should withdraw from Minneapolis—a significant departure from the party’s typical lockstep support for Trump’s immigration policies.

  • Japanese PM Takaichi pledges to resign if ruling bloc loses majority in upcoming snap election

    Japanese PM Takaichi pledges to resign if ruling bloc loses majority in upcoming snap election

    In a dramatic political declaration, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has committed to immediate resignation should her ruling coalition fail to secure a parliamentary majority in the impending snap election. The conservative leader made this consequential pledge during a high-profile party leaders’ debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on January 26, 2026.

    Takaichi, who simultaneously serves as president of the dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), framed her ultimatum as a matter of political accountability and democratic principle. The announcement introduces heightened stakes for the upcoming lower house contest, effectively transforming the election into a direct referendum on her administration’s performance and policy agenda.

    This development occurs amidst evolving political dynamics in Japan, where the ruling coalition has maintained extended governance through various administrations. Political analysts suggest Takaichi’s gamble reflects both confidence in her party’s electoral prospects and awareness of growing opposition challenges. The pledge establishes clear accountability mechanisms while potentially energizing both government supporters and opposition forces ahead of the critical vote.

    The timing and circumstances surrounding this commitment suggest strategic calculation rather than mere reactionary politics. By personally staking her leadership on the outcome, Takaichi has effectively centralized the electoral narrative around her premiership while attempting to consolidate support behind the existing governing coalition.